Poultry feed hopper construction



Feb. 5, 1957 M. SMALLEGAN 2,780,341 POULTRY FEED HOPPER CONSTRUCTIONFiled June 25, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 36 M A Marv/n L. Smal/egan AirbmzzFeb. 5, 1957 I M. L. SMAL .LEGAN 2,730,341

v POULTRY FEED HOPPER CONSTRUCTION Filed June 25, 1951 3 Sheets-Shevf s/n vnfor Mar w'n L. 5 m a//e aan Affornex United States Patent POULTRYFEED HOPPER CONSTRUCTION Marvin L. Smallegan, Zeeland, Mich assignor toAutomatic Poultry Feeder Company, Zeeland, Mich., a corporation ofMichigan Application June 25, 1951, Serial No. 233,302 3 Claims. (Cl.198 58) This invention relates to automatic poultry feeding equipmentand more particularly to an improved hopper unit for such. equipment.

Automatic poultry feeding equipment normally consists of one or moretroughs tracing a closed path along which feed is moved by a chain orequivalent endless moving mechanism. The feed is stored in a hopper andsupplied to the troughs as needed. In the construction of. thesehoppers, it is not only important to provide a hopper of sturdyconstruction and suitable for long periods of continuous operationwithout maintenance interruptions but it is also of the utmostimportance that the feed be constantly supplied by the hopper to thetroughs. This poses a serious problem because the feed is normally dryand of mixed consistency as to density, particle size and shape. Underthese circumstances, it frequently happens that the material will bridgewithin the hopper with the result that no feed will be distributed, evenfrom a full hopper, into the troughs. It is, therefore; the primaryobject of this invention to provide a hopper construction of simpledesign in. which the feed cannot bridge whereby a constant supply offeed to the troughs will be assured so long as there is any quantityoffeed remaining in the hopper.

It is important that the rate of feed distribution be capable ofaccurate regulation. This regulation must be efiective throughout a widerange whereby the hopper is capable of meeting. all of the variousdemands of the poultry raiser upon this type of equipment. This range ofdemand upon thefeeder may vary from a relatively small. flock of babychicks'to a large flock of grown turkeys. It is a further object of. myinvention to provide a hopper capable of rapid adjustment to meet all ofthese various demands.

In the design andxconstruction of these hoppers, it is also importantthat they be designed to prevent injury to the poultry which may crowdaround them. For this purpose, it is essential that. as. much of themoving mechanism. as possible be enclosed whereby the poultry will notbe injured. The design of such a hopper is another object of myinvention.

It-isalso' important to provide a design in which poultry droppingscannot reach any of the vital mechanism to produce binding or corrosivedeterioration. It is also important that the mechanisms be so designedthat should small quantities of poultry droppings be carried into thefeed. distributing mechanism by the incoming chain, the chain driving,mechanism and feed distributing mechanismcwill not become galled andinoperative. It is an additional object of. my invention to provide ahopper in'corporatingthese desired features.

These. and other. objects of my invention will beimmediately'seen:by'those-acquainted with the design and constructionofapoultry' feeding equipment upon reading the following specificationand the accompanying drawings.

In the-drawings:

Figure I isa plan view of my improved hopper, showing the hopperwith thecover removed.

Figure 2 is a rear, elevation view of my hopper taken along the planeIIII of Figure 1, showing the hopper with. the real: panelremove'd.

Figure 3- is a sectional,. elevation view of my hopper taken. along. theplaneIIL-IH- of Figure. 1.

Figure 4 is an end, elevation view of my hopper taken along the planeIV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional, elevation view of the trough structure of myhopper taken along the plane VV of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, elevation view of the vertical agitator formy improved hopper.

Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the chain and sprocket formy improved hopper.

Figure 8 is an enlarged, sectional, elevation view taken along the planeVIlI-VIII of Figulre 7.

In executing the objects and purposes of my invention, l have provided ahopper having an inclined bafile dividing the hopper structure into astorage bin above and an operation chamber below. The lower end of thestorage bin communicates with a trough within which is intermittentlyrotated a spiral for agitating the feed and for moving it toward oneend. At this one end of the trough, the feed is released onto a movingchain which carries it out along the feed troughs. In the operationchamber is provided a means for driving the chain and for intermittentlyrotating the spiral.

In the following description the terms upwardly and downwardly, andtheir equivalents, are frequently used and are to be taken to meanupwardly in the direction of the hopper as normally used and as thehopper appears in Figure 2 and downwardly away therefrom. The termsfront and rear are also frequently used and are to be taken to mean thefront of a hopper being in the direction in which the chain moves, thatis, that portion of the hopper which is toward the top of the drawing inFigure l and rear away therefrom.

Referring tothe drawings in detail, the numeral 1 in di'cates agenerally rectangular housing having a leg housing 2 at each corner. Thehousing has within it an inclined bafile plate 3 (Figure 3) dividing thehousing into a hopper bin 4 above the bathe plate and an operationschamber 5 below the plate. The baffle plate 3 extends the entire lengthof the housing. The lower end of the baffle plate terminates abruptly atone side of a trough 6, which trough extends the entire length of thehousing 1. Adjacent one end of the housing 1, a channel 7 is mountedbelow the trough 6 and extends from front to back through the housing ata right angle to the trough 6. The bottom of the trough 6 is providedwith an opening 8 communicating. with the channel 7 (Figure l). Thelower end of the operation chamber 5 is substantially closed by aplatform 9, a portion of one end 10 of which extends under the channel7.

Extending along the centerline of the trough 6 is a shaft 15 supportedon each end by journals 16 mounted in the end walls of the housing 1.Around the shaft 15, but at a substantial radius therefrom, is a helicalelement or spiral 17 secured to the shaft by the posts 18. The diameterof the spiral is such that it does not provide a clearance in excess of.l25 inch with the sides and bottom of the trough 6.

At each end of the spiral 17 an eccentric boss 19 (Figure 3) ismountedon the shaft 15. Each of-these eccentric bosses 19 is surroundedby a collar 20 to which is attached the agitator frame 21. The agitatorframe 21 is rectangular, consisting of a pair of uprights 22 (Figure 6)joined by a pair of cross arms 23. The upper end of the agitator frameis held against movement toward and away from the housing 1 by the clips24 (Figure 3) seating over the upper of the cross arms 23. The clips 24are rigidly mounted to the front wall of the housing 1.

Within the operation chamber 5 and mounted on the platform 9 are a primemover 30, speed reducer 31' and a pair of sprockets 32. The sprockets 32are mounted on and driven by a shaft 33 operatively connected on one-ofitsends-to the spee'd re'ducer iil. The other end of the shaft 33passes through the end wall of the housing 1 adjacent the channel 7 andhas an arm 34 mounted on its end (Figures 1, 2 and 4). The arm 34 ismounted at its center to the shaft 33 and at each end is equipped witha. movable peg 35. The shaft 33 is provided with a journal where itpasses through the end wall of the housing 1.

Seated within the channel 7 are a pair of trough sections 36. The troughsections 36 do not extend through the hopper. At both the front and theback of the hopper these troughs terminate with a few inches oftelescoping engagement with the channel 7. This engagement providessupport for the ends of the troughs 36. Each of the sprocket 32 ismounted on the centerline of one of the troughs 36 (Figure 2). Aseparate chain 37 travels in each of the troughs 36. Beneath each of thesprockets 32 is a guide 38 for the chain 37. The guide 38 consists of abase 39 (Figures 7 and 8) on which is mounted a pair of rails 40, spacedapart the width of the sprocket 32. The rails, on each end are bent downover the base 39 to provide an inclined surface for supporting the chain37. At the end of the guide 33 into which the chain 37 first enters area pair of converging, upright wings or plates 41 for guiding the chaininto proper alignment with the sprocket 32. Each of the guides ismounted to the channel 7 by a screw 42.

The shaft 15 and its associated spiral 17 are intermittently rotated bythe arm 34 (Figure 4). A lever 43 is, by means of a ratchet 44 (Figure1), mounted on the end of the shaft 15. The ratchet is so constructed 1that it rotates the shaft 15 only when the lever 43 is moved upwardly.The lever returns to its normal position by gravity. The downwardmovement of the lever 43 is limited by the hook 45 on the end of thevertically adjustable rod 46. Vertical adjustment of the rod 46 I iseflected by means of the slots 47 and wing nuts 48.

The volume of feed leaving the hopper as well as its distribution in thetroughs 36 is regulated by the flexible dams 60 (Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5).The flexible dams are mounted on the slide 61 and are made verticallyad- 36 through the opening 8 may be simultaneously regul lated. as theslide 61 is moved forwardly and rearwardly.

The upper end of the hopper is closed by a cover 70. This cover may befiat but preferably is peaked as is indicated by the fragmentary showingin Figure 3. The rear opening into the operation chamber 5 is preferablyclosed by a suitable panel of either solid, perforated or grille-likematerial.

Within each of the triangular leg housings 2 a slidable leg 76 ismounted. A screw 75 threadedly engages the upper end of the leg 76whereby rotation of the screw 75 will effect movement of the leg (Figure2). The screw 75 is equipped with a collar 77 hearing against the underside of the plate 78. The plate 78 is secured as by welding to the leghousing 2.

Operation i To operate my hopper, the hopper compartment 4 is filledwith feed. The prime mover 30 is then started causing the chains 47 tostart moving through the hopper.

The speed reducer 31 causes the shaft 33 to rotate slowly. I

peg slides out from under the lever. As soon as the lever 43 isreleased, it will, by gravity, drop until it rests upon the hook 45 ofthe rod 46. During the upward movement of the lever 43, the lever willrotate the spiral 17 causing both agitation of the feed within thetrough 6 and causing that feed to move toward the opening 8. At the sametime, by means of the eccentric bosses 19 (Figure 3) on each end of thespiral, the agitator frame 21 is caused to reciprocate vertically. Thisreciprocation of the agitator frame 21 prevents the feed from forming abridge between the baflle 3 and the vertical front side of thehousing 1. Any bridge that may try to form is broken by the movement ofthis agitator frame. When the lever 43 is released, it is free to dropdownwardly into the book 45 without moving the spiral 17 because of theratchet 44.

The speed of rotation of the spiral 17 may be decreased by eliminatingone of the pegs whereby the lever 43 is actuated only once during a fullrevolution of the shaft 33. The amount of rotation of the spiral uponeach contact between a peg 35 and the lever 43 may be adjusted byraising or lowering the rod 46. In this manner, the length of arethrough which the peg is in contact with the lever 43 may be increasedor decreased. By a combination of these various adjustments, appreciablevariation in the speed of the spiral may be obtained.

As the shaft 33 is rotated, it turns the sprockets 32. These sprocketsengage the chains 37 urging the chain 37 through the hopper. As thechains approach the sprockets, each of the chains enters one of theguides 38. The guides 33 align the chain with the sprocket by means ofthe upright plates or Wings 41. They also raise the chain to assure afirm and constant contact between the sprockets and the chains. Byreason of the spaced rails 40, the teeth of the sprockets are permittedto pass downwardly through the chain to efiect a long, positive contactbetween each sprocket tooth and each link of the chain as it passesthrough the guides 40. After the chains 37 leave the sprockets 32, theypass under the opening 8 at the end of the trough 6. At this point, thefeed from the trough 6 falls onto the chains and fills the channel 7.The slowing moving chain in the bottom of the channel 7 urges the feedout from under the opening 8 and away from the hopper 1.

By eliminating the troughs 36 in the hopper structure, the feed in thechannel 7 is common to both troughs. Thus, if one trough is returningmore feed than the other, the distribution of this feed between the twotroughs will be brought into balance in the channel 7.

As the feed in the troughs 36 leaves the hopper its quantity isregulated and it is leveled and evenly distributed throughout each ofthe troughs 36 by the flexible dams 60. The flexible dams 60 aresufficiently rigid to resist the movement of the feed and to distributeit throughout the trough but at the same time will bend slightly toprevent the accumulation of large quantities of feed against theirrearward faces. The dams 60 may be raised or lowered to regulate thedepth of the feed as it passes out of the hopper (Figure 5). Thus, whentwo or more troughs are used, the depth of feed in each trough may beset at a dilferent level. This permits simultaneous distribution of thecorrect quantity of feed into two troughs of different length. Byshifting the slide 61 forwardly or rearwardly, the quantity of feedentering the troughs 36 through the opening 8 may be closely regulated.As the slide 61 is moved rearwardly it closes the opening 8 an equalamount with respect to each of the troughs 36. Thus, when only a smallquantity of feed is necessary, the slide is moved rearwardly to theproper position and then fixed into position by tightening the wing nuts66. The quantity of feed moved out of the hopper through the troughs 36may be closely regulated by both the position of the slide 61 and theposition of the flexible dams 60. When any major adjustment of the sizeof the opening is made, the speed of rotation of the spiral 17 should beadjusted by the several means previously described. By means of theseadjustments plus variation of the speed of the chain, the proper amountof feed may be distributed by this hopper for a given flock of poultryirrespective of the age and demands of the poultry. When the system isused for a growing flock starting when the flock is very small, thequantity of feed distributed by the troughs may be periodically adjustedto meet the increasing demand of the growing flock. Thus, the hopper isrendered capable of meeting the varying demands of a poultry raiser.

The entire hopper structure is made vertically adjustable to meet theheight demands of various sizes and types of birds. Thus, when the flockconsists of small chicks, the troughs 36 must be almost at floor level.At this point the hopper is lowered to its lowest point. Thereafter asthe flock grows the troughs 36 must be periodically elevated to providea proper feeding height and to prevent the chickens from standing on thetroughs and depositing droppings into the feed. At each of these stagesof development of the flock, the troughs 36 and entire hopper structureare raised. In the case of flocks of very large birds such as grownturkeys, the hopper is raised to its maximum height. To effect thisraising, a crank is engaged to the upper end of the screw 75 and thescrew thereby rotated. The rotation of this screw forces the adjustablelegs 76 downwardly or upwardly with respect to the leg housings 2. Byreason of the triangular shape of the leg 76 and the leg housing 2 theleg is prevented from rotating with the screw. The upward thrust on thescrew is transmitted to the leg housing by the collar 77 bearing againstthe plate 78.

I have described a hopper construction suitable for distributing aconstant quantity of dry feed material at a selected rate ofdistribution. The hopper is so designed that the rate of distribution ofthe feed may be closely adjusted through a wide range of volumes. Thehopper is also so constructed that the feed will be constantlydistributed without interruption or blockage of the mechanism. Thedesign of the hopper makes it suitable for use with flocks of varioustypes of poultry irrespective of the age of the flock involved.

My invention is described using two troughs 36 passing through thechannel 7 for removing feed from the hopper. It will be recognized thatwith minor redesign a greater or lesser number of troughs may be added.By blocking off the unused portion of the channel 7 by means of a lengthof wood or an inverted section of the trough 36, a single trough may beemployed.

These and other modifications of my invention may be made withoutdeparting from the principle thereof. Each of these modifications is tobe considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unlessthese claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In poultry feed hopper construction for dispensing dry material ofsmall particle size, said hopper having a housing and a bafile fordividing said housing into an upper chamber for said material and alower chamber, said hopper comprising: a trough communicating with saidupper chamber; a helically coiled rod having substantially the samelength as said trough and mounted therein; means for rotatably mountingsaid helical rod to said housing; the bottom wall of said troughdefining an opening therethrough through which said material may escapeby gravity; means including a shaft and prime mover in said lowerchamber; a lever on the end of said means for mounting said helical rod;an arm on said shaft adapted to periodically raise said lever forintermittently rotating said helical rod; an agitator rod eccentricallymounted on said means for mounting said helical rod.

2. In poultry feed hopper construction for dispensing dry material ofsmall particle size, said hopper having a housing and an inclined bafilefor dividing said housing into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, thewalls of said upper chamber converging in a downwardly direction, saidhopper comprising: a first trough communicating with the lower end ofsaid upper chamber; a second trough below and communicating with saidfirst trough; said second trough extending through said housing at aright angle to said first trough and adjacent one end of said firsttrough; a prime mover; a first shaft rotatably driven by said primemover; an arm mounted at its center on said first shaft for rotationtherewith; a second shaft; a lever; ratchet means for operativelyconnecting said lever to said second shaft and adapted to rotate saidsecond shaft when said lever is moved upwardly; a movable peg mounted onsaid arm remote from said first shaft for engaging said lever through aportion of its travel as said first shaft and arm rotates; said pegadapted to intermittently raise said lever causing intermittent angularrotation of said second shaft; adjustable means adapted to limit thedownward movement of said lever thus adjusting the amount of angularrotation of said lever and said second shaft caused by each engagementof said peg with said lever; a helical rod element mounted on saidsecond shaft within said first trough for urging material in said firsttrough into said second trough; an eccentric boss mounted on saidsecondshaft adjacent each end thereof; a substantially rectangular framemounted at its lower end to said eccentric bosses; means on said housingfor engaging the upper end of said frame.

3. In poultry feed hopper construction for dispensing dry material ofsmall particle size, said hopper having a housing and a bafile fordividing said housing into an upper chamber for said material and alower chamber, said hopper comprising: a trough communicating with thebottom of said upper chamber; a first shaft extending longitudinallythrough said trough; means journalling said first shaft in each end ofsaid hopper; a helically coiled rod surrounding said first shaft andradially spaced substantially therefrom; means securing said rod to saidfirst shaft for rotation therewith; said rod extending substantially thefull length of said trough; said trough having an opening adjacent oneend for the escape of said material therefrom; a second shaft in saidlower chamber; a prime mover in said lower chamber for continuouslyrotating said second shaft; an arm mounted on said second shaft forrotation therewith; a lever freely rotatably mounted on said housing;ratchet means for operatively connecting said lever to said first shaft;a movable peg mounted on said arm remote from said second shaft forengaging said lever a portion of its travel as said second shaft and armrotates; said peg being adapted to intermittently raise said levercausing intermittent angular rotation of said first shaft; adjustablemeans adapted to limit downward movement of said lever thus adjustingthe amount of angular rotation of said first shaft caused by eachengagement of said peg with said lever; conveyor means cooperating withsaid opening for removing said material therefrom; driving means on saidsecond shaft engaging said conveyor means for continuously driving saidconveyor means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS351,014 Wissler Oct. 19, 1886 520,138 Dralle May 22, 1894 1,149,427Colburn Aug. 10, 1915 1,746,558 Rowe Feb. 11, 1930 1,783,092 Lewis Nov.25, 1930 1,822,530 Kind Sept. 8, 1931 1,845,072 Beckman Feb. 16, 19321,929,324 Martin Oct. 3, 1933 2,563,321 Dugan Aug. 7, 1951 2,563,331Hager Aug. 7, 1951

